Atma Ram, the Hindu Prime Minister of the ruler of Kunduz, 1840 (c)

Atma Ram, the Hindu Prime Minister of the ruler of Kunduz, 1840 (c). Painting by James Atkisnon.

James Atkinson writes : "Atmaram, a Hindoo, and native of Peshawur, is the Dewan Begee, or Prime Minister of Meer Moorad Beg, the celebrated Chief of Koodooz in Toorkistan, so justly styled by travellers the first hussar in Asia. To his sinister counsels, much of the ill treatment experienced by Mr. Moorcroft, at the hands of this Chieftain, is ascribed; it being well known how largely he profited by the sums of money extorted from that unfortunate gentleman. He was in power when Sir Alex. Burnes visited Koondooy in 1832; and after the surrender of Dost Mahomed in 1840, was sent by his master on a mission to the British authorities in Kabul. He has risen form the meanest origin to his present high estate; and although Hindoos are generally despised by the Uzbeks, nor even permitted to wear turbans, he has not only secured that privilege for himself and his servants, but numbers no less than four hundred slavs in his household. Sir A. Burnes, in his travels, speaks in warm terms of his merits, for to him the merchant is indebted for the protection of his property from plunder, and his person form bondage. The peculiarly folded turban is the only part of his dress which marks him as an idolater, the rest of his costume being that of an Uzbek Chieftains."